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Schoolmates 
Together 



A Two Act Juvenile Play 



For 



LINCOLN'S DAY 



By 

Clara J. Denton 



PRICES 

Single Copy 30 cents 

Eight or more copies 20 cents each 

All Postpaid 





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24 Christopher Street New York City 

Copyright \<*22 by TuIIar-Meredith Co. 







Schoolmates Together 



ACT I. 

(First four characters are discovered at rise, Mary seated on a desk, eat- 
ing an apple, Alice sharpening a lead pencil, Jim seated and just starting 
to cut the desk in front of him; John idling about, hands in his pockets.) 

Mary. (Sharply.) Jim, don't you remember what the teacher said? 
Jim. (Holding the knife against the desk.) How could I remember 

all he says? You must think I have a great memory. 
Alice. Let him alone, Mary, he ought to remember it as well as we do. 
Jim. Oh, so you remember it too? Well, let me see, he said little 

girls mustn't sharpen their lead pencils and let the chips fall all over 

the floor, and it seems to me, he said, too, little girls mustn't sit on 

the desk and swing their feet. 
Alice. Jim, look what you are about! The teacher said the first boy 

who cut one of the desks or benches should be dismissed from school. 
Jim. Well, I'm not cutting the desk, I was just thinking about it. This 

knife is too dull to cut anything, but give me your pencil and I'll try 

to sharpen that ; maybe it will cut that soft wood and lead. 
Alice. (Handing it.) Well, I think that's a better use to make of your 

knife. I want to finish my Washington essay and that pencil will 

hardly make a mark. 
John. Haven't you finished your essay yet? Mine is all done. That is, 

I have told all that I know about Washington. 
Jim. Well, why didn't you buy a life of Washington and get the whole 

of his life, all the particulars ? That's the way Abe Lincoln did. 
All. Did he? 
Jim. Yes, I heard a man who lives near us tell that Abe Lincoln wanted 

his life of Washington and that he cut a lot of wood to get it. It was 

pretty well worn too, he said. 
Mary. Why didn't the old curmudgeon give him the book? I'd like to 

know his name. 
Alice. So should I, I'd write it down in the family Bible so that I'd 

never forget it. (All laugh.) 
John. He must have been a pretty mean man ! Abe's a good boy and 

never fools away any time like the rest of us, and of course, now that 

he's read up about Washington, he'll surely have a good essay. 
Others. Yes, yes, yes. 
Tom. (Entering.) Hello, all of you, have you written your Washington 

essay ? 
All. Yes, yes, haven't you? 

Tom. No I've forgotten all about the big things Washington did. 
Jim. You know, don't you, that he was first in peace, and first . . . 
J*om. (Interrupting.) At the cherry-tree. 
,j&hn. And that he never told a lie. 

©C1AG8U47SEP -I I' 

TMP92-009087 



Schoolmates Together 



Tom. Oh, surely, I forgot that old story, and that he lived with his 

father on the Potomac River. 
Mary. No, there you are wrong. His father died when George was only 

nine years old. I think you'd better read the life of George Washing- 
ton carefully; beg or borrow it somewhere. 
Sam. (Entering.) What's that you want him to beg or borrow? 
Ifary. The life of Washington. He really doesn't know much about him. 

He thinks the father owned Mount Vernon instead of the brother. 
Sam. That's nothing, I heard a man say the other day that George 

Washington discovered America. (All laugh.) 
John. Guess he never went to school. 
Alice. Not to our school anyway. 
Tom. Well, you can't expect me to tell much about Washington when 

all I know is what the teacher told about him the other day. 
Jim. Get a book then, and study about him, that's what I did, 
Tom. But I haven't any book. 
John. Buy one then. 
Tom. Haven't any money. 
John. Get Abe to lend you his book. 

Abe. (Entering L.) Didn't I hear someone taking my name in vain? 
Tom. That was John, he was trying to persuade me to borrow your life 

of Washington. 
Abe. (Taking book from bosom.) Here it is, (Jiands book to Tom.) I 

hope you will get as much out of it as I did, but please be careful of 

it, that and my Bible are all the books I have in the world. 
Jim. Not a very extensive library, Abe, but I don't doubt that you will 

have more before many years. 
Abe. Yes, indeed, if I can keep my axe sharp enough. 
Tom. (Looking the book over.) Have you finished your paper, Abe? 
Abe. Yes, indeed, and got it in my head too. 
All. Oh, oh, oh, oh! 
Jim. What made you learn it? 

Abe. I thought then I'd have it where it couldn't be lost or burned up. 
Alice. Or stolen. 
Abe. I don't think anyone would want to steal it, unless for kindling, it 

may be dry enough for that. 
Mary. Maybe you'll forget it. 

Abe. Why, that's what I learned it for, so that I won't forget it. 
Mary. Well, come then, recite it for us, since you have it all in your head. 
Abe. No indeed, I'll have to do it once for the teacher, and I don't mean 

to do it twice and make you all so sick of it that you'll run when you 
see me coming. (Laughter.) 

Jim. You know well enough we won't do that, Abe. 

Abe. No, I know you won't for I don't intend to give you the chance. 
(All begin to clamor loudly.) Come now recite it, we won't give you 
any peace until you do. 

Abe. Well, I'll say over the last paragraph for you, and that's all I will- 
do, no matter how much you tease. (Strikes an attitude in the cenft> 



Schoolmates Together 



of the room and recites the following lines from Lincoln's writings. The 
teacher and several of the boys and girls enter silently and stand at at- 
tention while the recital is taking place.) 
"Washington is the mightiest name on earth, long since the mightiest 

in the cause of civil liberty — still mightier in. moral reformation. On 

that name a eulogy is expected; it cannot be. To add brightness to the 

sun, or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible. Let none 

attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked, death- 
less splendor leave it shining on." 

'Teacher (Applauding.) Bravo! Bravo! (Comes down,) I tell you 
Abe, what we'll do. In about three weeks I intend to give a school exhi- 
bition, and your recitation on Washington will be one of the features of 
the program, so be sure to be ready. Now come on boys, we can just 
about have time for a game of old cat before I must open school. 
(Exeunt L. all but Abe, Tom and the two girls, Alice and Mary. Tom 
opens the book.) 

Abe. Just hear that, will you, a public school exhibition where I am to 
figure and these are all the clothes I own. Reckon I'll have to have 
some new ones right soon. 

Alice. Let my father make you some new ones; he can do it fine I tell 
you. Oh, there he goes now, I'll stop him. (Rushes out L.) 

Abe. (To others.) My, who ever saw such 1 a girl, dashing off that way! 
reckon she doesn't know I haven't any money to buy clothes now. If 
she could just look into my pockets she'd never bring her father in 
here. 

Tom. O well, everybody knows you're not afraid to work, Abe. 

Mr. Brown the tailor, (Entering zrith Alice.) What's this I hear, Abe, 
you want some new clothes? 

Abe. Yes, I both want them and need them, don't I look like it ? 
(Spreads out arms.) 

Mr. B. Well, then, a good strong young fellow like you surely ought to 
have them. 

Abe. Yes, but you'll have to wait until I earn the money, I haven't any 
now. 

Mr. B. See here son, I've heard that you split the most of the rails 
around your father's farm. 

Abe. Guess that's true. 

Mr. B. So I need the rails and you need the clothes. Come down to my 
shop after school and you can see the finest piece of cloth you ever laid 
your eyes on, straight from New York; I'll make you a suit to your 
measure from that cloth, and for every yard that I put into the suit, 
you shall split a hundred rails for me.* 

Abe. And that will cover everything? 

Mr. B. Everything; my work and the trimmings of all kinds, and cover 
you in the bargain, and I tell you Abe, it will wear for you like iron ; 
besides, you will have a suit fit for the President himself. 

Abe. (With far-azcay look.) The President ? 

Mr. B. Yes sir, although you'll not be able to wear them when you are 
president, for, I guess, you'll grow a few inches more, but if vou should 
wear them until you become president, you wouldn't be ashamed of 
them. But there, don't decide until you see the cloth. Come in after 
school and I will take your measure. (Exit Mr. B. Left.) 

Abe, (Walking apart.) The President! the President! 

t ' t * Author's note: I have tampered with dates somezvhat. for this ha 
frith the tailor ivas not made until Abe zvas tivcniy-one years old. 



Schoolmates Together 



ACT II. 

(Characters in tliis act: Sambo, a black man, (carries two toy balloons.) 
John, Jim grown up, Alice the same, tivo little girls with the latter. 
Ordinary out-door costumes for all. Scene, a city park, seats placed about. 
Iron park seat at L. F. John and Jim enter L, as Sambo makes his way 
slowly toward the men, leaving the balloons.) 

John. Well, that was a wonderful speech, in my opinion it excelled his 

first inaugural. 
Jim. Yes, I think everyone will agree to that, but, of course, Abe has 

not been standing still during these troublesome and momentous four 

years. 
John. That is true, a man of his receptivity could hardly go through 

all that he has experienced during these years without taking much to 

his heart and soul, but let us sit down; I am tired after our long 

standing. (They sit on bench at L. I 7 .) 
Jim. Well, on the whole, I am sure there is a much better feeling toward 
'the President throughout the country than there was four years ago 

when they plotted to assassinate him in Baltimore. 
John. Yes, a much better feeling, on the whole, but perhaps even a more 

bitter feeling against him in spot.-. 
Jim. Do you think so? 
John. I don't think anything about it on my own responsibility, I only 

accept what they tell me ; there are strange whispers around this city 

of Washington and strange movements in certain quarters. 
Jim. You surprise and alarm me. 
John. Nothing surprising about it, although I must confess it does seem 

rather alarming to me. 
Jim. And why not surprising? 
John. Well, there has been a long and bitter war between the states, both 

parties lighting for an idea, which you know is the most intense sort of 

contention. 
Jim. Yes, but that should be all wiped off the slate with a sponge dipped 

in pure water. 
John. So it will be in time, and Abraham Lincoln will be looked upon 

as the nation's best friend, but just now, Washington lying as it does 

between the two former belligerent sections, is a very hotbed of plots 

and counterplots. 
Jim. Yes, and weakminded people are so easily led astray by fluent and 

plausible tongues. 
Sambo, (Coming to John and Jim.) Now Massa, cain't I sell youall a 

pretty little balloon or two to take home to youall's babies? Ye see, 

Massa, dese yere are all I'se got left, and I doan want to go home till 

I done sell dem all out. 
John. We are unlucky fellows Sambo, no little ones at our house. 
Sam. So you am, Massa, so you am. Den yous cain't go to der egg- 
rolling on White House hill on Easter morning no more'n I cain. 
John. We couldn't go anyway, Sambo, because we don't live here. 
Sam. O, den youall aint Washington men, youall jes' come on to see' 

de roarguration? 



Schoolmates Together 



John. That's all, Sambo, and so, you see, we don't realize half what we 
miss. But that egg-rolling must be a pretty sight. 

Sam. 'Deed it is Massa, an' I alius sees a little something of it 'case I's 
lucky 'nough to work 'round the White House, so I sees lots what do 
white folks miss. 

Jim. So you would. What do you do around the White House? 

Sam. Oh, shake rugs, clean furnace, scrub porches, shine up the door 
knobs and sich. 

John. And how do you like Abraham Lincoln for a boss, Sambo? 

Sam. Fine, fine, Massa, though he don' neber boss me none, but it's 
wu'th a dollar any day jes' to hab him look at a poor niggah wid dat 
smile o' his'n. 

Jim. I'm sure youre right in that, Sambo ; {Sambo turns to go,) here, 
hold on, I want to buy one of your balloons ; John, you buy the other. 

John. What for? What will we do with them? 

Jim. Give them to the first little girls we see. (They each pay Sambo 
money, telling him to keep the change.) You see, Sambo, we used to 
go to school with Mr. Lincoln, so we're interested in you for his sake 
and will buy out your whole stock just for old time's sake. 

Sam. 0, t'anks, more'n a t'ousand, Massa, now I kin go home to my wife. 

John. Well, we've made one darky happy, anyway. (Enter at R., Alice 
Brown and tzvo little girls.) Why, there come just what we want, two 
little girls, and they are coming down this way too, maybe they'll 
accept our balloons. (Rises and waves balloon toward children.) 

Jim. O, stop, they'll think you're a lunatic, sit down and wait till they 

come where we are, (As lady and children approach, Jim rises and ad- 
vances toward them.) Excuse me, Madam, would you allow these 
little girls to accept these toys, we bought them of a darky to help him 
along, promising to give them to the first little girls who came along, 
and yours are the first ones we have seen. 

(John presents his balloon.) 

Jim. (Presenting his.) You can say Mr. Jim Merton gave yours to you. 

Alice. Why, that name sounds good to me, I went to school with a Jim 
Merton, back in Illinois. 

Jim. (Looking at her closely.) You did? Why then, I do believe you 
are Alice Brown. 

Alice. So I am, (They shake hands,) and I do believe you are here to 
see our Abe inaugurated. 

Jim. So I am, and here is John Tillotson, of course you remember him, 
brought out by the same great event, (They shake hands,) and I sup- 
pose that is why you are here also? 

Alice. No, I live here with my brother and these are his little girls. Do 
you remember the suit of clothes my father made for our Abe? 

Jim & John. yes. 

Alice. Well, the families have been great friends ever since that time. 
When my father died, about two years ago, Abe brought the rest of 
us, my mother, brother and myself, on here and gave brother a good 

•. position. 

'John. How like him! 






Schoolmates Together 



Alice. Do you know, John, I believe he's the best man that ever lived. 
I see a great deal of him in a familiar, everyday sort of way, just as 
you see your own folks, and the more I see of him the higher he rises 
in my esteem. 

Jim. I can well believe that, and how glad we all are that the country 
is safe in his hands for another four years ! 

John. (Shaking head mournfully.) If it were not for those ugly rumors. 

Alice. Heed them not; there are always ugly whispers circulating about 
any great men, but no one will dare lay a violent hand on our Abe. 
O, I was happy this morning when I heard from his lips those marvel- 
ous words, 
"With malice toward none ; with charity for all ; with firmness in the 

right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work 

we are in ; to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have 

borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan — to do all which may 

achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with 

all nations." 

John. Why you have the whole paragraph, word for word. 

Alice. Of course, I took them down in shorthand. I am a stenographer, 
you must know, and I have been saying them over to myself ever since. 

Jim. Well, he certainly has a warm admirer in you. 

Alice. Indeed he has, and, do you know, my old friend, here is something 
I want to tell you, "all this rudeness and buffoonery we read so much 
about, I never saw, I always feel as if in the presence of an angel ;he 
seems so different from other men, and so good,"* but aren't you going 
up to the White House to see our Abe in his fine surroundings for 
yourselves? 

John. We thought we wouldn't trouble him today, he must be tired out 
and needs rest. 

Alice. But go over in the morning. 

Jim. We must take the first train back home in the morning. 

Alice. Oh, that's too bad, Abe will be so disappointed. 

Sambo, (Entering hurriedly.) Massa Lincum he say for you gem'mun ter 
come right up ter de White House. He say der cain't nobody wha' 
done go ter dat ole school house in Illinois git out o' Washington widout 
his seein' um, not ef he know it. 

Jim and John laugh and start to follow Sambo. 

1st. Little Girl. If you're going to see uncle Abe, maybe he'll give you a 
nickel, he does me. 

2nd Little Girl. Or a big box of candy. 

Alice. But wait, here's my card, come over and have a chat with us this 
evening, maybe Abe and Mrs. Lincoln will come too. 

John, (Taking card.) That we will. (Exeunt all but Alice and little girls.) 

Alice. I wonder what John meant by talking of ugly rumors, surely no 
harm can come to our beloved chief, we need him to carry this poor old 
battered "ship of state" across the troubled waters and into a calm and 
unruffled harbor. 

CURTAIN. 

Patriotic Music. 
*Said to the author by Mrs. Carrie Mathews Hollister, sister to Vice** 

President Colfax. .* 



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PLAYS AND FARCES 

(*) THE ANYBODY FAMILY ON SUNDAY MORNING — A Otie-act 

' (twenty-minute) play. Showing the absurdity of the hurry 

and confusion in many homes on Sunday morning, leading to 

lateness at church service. 3 males (1 boy), 4 females (2 girls.) 

Rev. Paul Moore Strayer, D.D., writes: "It was presented 

at our Annual Meeting, and was more effective I think, t nan 

repeated appeals from the pulpit to be at church ON TIME. It 

opens a new field of dramatizing scenes in church life. 

6 copies required. Price, 25 cents per copy, postpaid. 

(*) HELP! A farce in 3 acts, by Elizabeth H. Adams. 3 Males and 
13 females. By doubling can be done with 3 males and 8 fe- 
males. Time about one hour. A laughable mixture of the ser- 
/ant-girl problem, a match-making mamma, a couple of swains, 
and Cupid. The problem remains unsolved, the scheming mam- 
ma is frustrated and Cupid conquers. 3 easily arranged interior 
scenes- two may be same furniture differently arranged; simple 
costumes. 10 to 12 copies required. Price, 25 cents per copy. 

(*) AT THE DEPOT. A play in one act for six children and eleven 
adults, 10 Male and 7 Female, by Anne M. Palmer. Time of ren- 
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adapted to the study of human: nature in all its peculiar phases 
than is a Railroad Station. "At the Depot** gives opportunities 
for an exhibition of real character sketches. 12 to 17 copies 
required. Price, 25 cents per copy, postpaid _„_ ,„„,,. 

(*) THE TWINS AND HOW THEY ENTERTAINED THE NEW 
MINISTER. They have a delightful time telling family secrets 
to the "New Minister," who has called for the first time They 
explain the necessity of seeing their mother to find out frem 
her if she is •'In," for so often she is "Out wnen she is In 
ana "In" when she is "Out." 2 Males and 1 Female. Time 
about 15 minutes. Price, 25 cents. 3 copies required. 

(*) "SCHOOLMATES TOGETHER" — A two-act juvenile play for 
Lincoln Day. by Clara J. Denton. The first act represents an 
Illinois school with some of its pupils, of whom Abe is oy 
no means least in importance. The task of writing an .essay 
on Washington has been imposed by the teacher and Abe 
easily carries off the honors. „-i™„.^ ,•„ 

The next act represents some of these schoolmates in 
Washington attending the inauguration ceremonies and they 
discover that the new President is none other than the great 
Lincoln whom they knew back in the Illinois school as Abe 

There are 12 characters, four females and 8 males used 
in its presentation, three of which have little or no speaking 
parts. 8 copies required. Price 30 cents. 



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